Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the communications sector in the country on its achievements at the 25th Universal Postal Congress, held in Doha, Qatar.
As the congress drew to a close on Monday, the Department of Communications ended the meeting with two seats for South Africa - one as a first time member of the Council of Administrators (CA) and the other as a member of the Council of Postal Operators (POC).
South Africa was elected to the UPU's Council of Administration and Postal Operations Council that will run the Union from 2013-2016.
"We extend our heartiest congratulations to the Department of Communications for their significant achievement, they have indeed done us proud as a country and government," said President Zuma.
The CA is composed of 41 countries and meets annually at UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland, to ensure the continuity of the UPU's work between congresses, supervise its activities and study regulatory, administrative, legislative and legal issues.
It can also take measures it considers necessary to resolve urgent issues. It approves the UPU's biennial budget and accounts, as well as yearly updates on the UPU's strategy and budget.
The Council is also responsible for promoting and coordinating all aspects of technical assistance among member countries.
The POC is the technical and operational mind of the UPU, it meets annually at the UPU's headquarters in Berne, Switzerland.
Its work programme is geared towards helping Post Offices to modernize and upgrade their postal products and services. It deals with the operational, economic and commercial facet of the postal business.
The body will also make recommendations to member countries on standards for technological, operational or other processes within its competence, where uniform practices are essential. - SAnews.gov.za
